He succeeds Edrington ceo Ian Curle, who leaves the post after three years but will remain on the SWA’s governing council.
Pringuet’s initial responsibilities will be to secure a competitive business environment, set the industry’s social responsibility agenda and gain fair access to export markets and the legal protection of Scotch whisky worldwide.
Pringuet, who joined Pernod Ricard in 1987 as development director, said he felt privileged to ensure Scotch whisky remained an iconic product around the world.
“With its great brands and committed people, as well as the support of governments at home and abroad, the Scotch whisky industry will go from strength to strength,” he said.
In 2000 Pringuet became a joint ceo of Pernod Ricard. He was appointed sole ceo in 2008 and vice-chairman of the board of directors in 2012.
Other senior appointments
In other senior appointments, Ivan Menezes, chief executive of Diageo, and Richard Burn, global policy and public affairs director of Diageo, joined the SWA council.
Julie Hesketh-Laird was also appointed as SWA’s new deputy chief executive. She joined the SWA in 2005 as director of operational and technical affairs and will continue in this role alongside her new position.
Finally, the SWA also announced plans to move to new premises in Edinburgh during 2015, and to open a small permanent office in London to strengthen its impact there.